Upside Down Banana Cake

Doesn't that just sound amazing? Upside Down Banana Cake.  My friend, Alison, and I have been getting together to watch Batman related films and anime recently.  Some sort of baked good usually accompanies that. Last night we made this delicious cake to eat while watching an anime called Akira.  I stumbled upon the recipe on a blog named The Wicked Noodle, and apparently this dessert is very popular in Brazil. As far as cakes from scratch go, this one was really easy.

Upside Down Banana Cake

1 1/2 cups sugar (for the caramel)
5 to 6 ripe bananas
2 cups flour
1 cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon baking powder
4 large eggs, divided
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups sugar (for the cake)
1 cup milk

1) In a metal baking pan (about a 10 inch round), place the 1 1/2 cups sugar and bring to medium heat to make a dry caramel.  When it is fluid and amber in color, distribute the caramel evenly along the bottom of the pan and on the sides. Set aside.

2) Slice the bananas lengthwise and place them flat side down over the caramel.  Place them close together and close to the sides of the pan.

3) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  In a bowl, sift the flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Set aside.

4) Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until soft peaks form. Set aside.

5) With an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, and egg yolks until very light and creamy.

6) Add the flour mixture in three additions, alternative with the milk. Mix until flour is all mixed. With a big spatula, fold in the egg whites.

7) Pour the batter over the caramel and banana layer evenly.  Bake for 40-50 minutes until it is golden brown and passes the toothpick test.  Let the cake rest and cool a bit, but flip it out of it's pan while it is still warm so that the caramel will seep into the cake.

A bit of a warning: when you flip the cake out of the pan, molten caramel may drip on you! This cake was moist, light, and totally helped take the edge off watching Akira!  Thanks Alison!